Provincial authorities have announced the discovery of a third set of human remains at a site near Smiths Falls in eastern Ontario.
The recently identified remains belong to Lawrence Bertrim, who was reported missing from downtown Smiths Falls in September 2022.
According to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the cause of death is still under investigation, and no charges have been filed in connection with this case. A reward of $50,000 is still available for information that leads to a conviction, police confirmed.
At the time of his disappearance, Bertrim was 42 years old.
“Finding Lawrence Bertrim is a crucial breakthrough for his family, who have been seeking answers for nearly four years, as well as for the investigative team that has diligently pursued this case,” stated OPP Det. Insp. Jennifer Patton in a news release.
“We recognize the public’s concern following the discovery of three missing individuals at a single location, and we ask for your understanding as investigators continue to pursue the evidence,” she added.
Lawrence Bertrim’s remains were uncovered on the Kelly Jordan Road property on August 6, just one day after police reported finding the body of another missing man, Robert Lambert, at the same site in July.
While no charges have been filed regarding Lambert’s death, authorities indicated that they had suspicions of foul play at that time.
The remains of Robbie Thomson were also discovered on the same residential property in October 2025. Four individuals have been charged in relation to his death, including three who face charges of first-degree murder.
Reports from CBC News in 2023 indicated that Bertrim and Thomson were acquainted. It was also believed that they knew 34-year-old Steven Tate, whose body was located in a ditch along Highway 15 in November 2023.
The circumstances surrounding Tate’s death and the vanishings of Bertrim and Thomson captivated the Smiths Falls community, and the discovery of the first two sets of remains had a profound impact on the small town and the neighboring rural area, as noted by the local reeve.